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USA network will debut first-ever sitcoms

NEW YORK (AP) -- The USA television network is looking for laughs, and announced Thursday it will premiere its first-ever situation comedies next winter.

The two new series are set to debut around the same time USA begins showing reruns of ABC's "Modern Family." One sitcom, "Sirens," is about three emergency medical technicians from Chicago with personalities less impressive than their medical skill. Denis Leary, who starred in FX's "Rescue Me," wrote and produced the series but is not a featured actor.

"Playing House" stars Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham as two friends who draw closer when one of them has a baby.

The general-interest USA is one of the most-watched cable networks, mostly through strong one-hour dramas that do particularly well in the summer, when the broadcast networks focus more on reruns and reality.

USA announced that it was starting production on one new drama set in post-World War II America involving a plot that draws the ire of Nazi spies. Gale Ann Hurd, who worked on "Walking Dead," is the executive producer. USA also detailed seven drama scripts that are being considered for series.

Cat Greenleaf, who hosts the "Talk Stoop" franchise on several local NBC stations, will bring that feature to USA. She'll be host of USA's daytime lineup, interjecting interviews, pop culture notes and personalized advertising into the lineup. "Talk Stoop" is a feature where Greenleaf briefly interviews celebrities as they both sit on the steps of a New York City row house.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

The USA television network is looking for laughs, and will premiere its first-ever original situation comedies next winter.

"Sirens" focuses on three emergency medical technicians from Chicago who are good at their jobs but with personal lives that leave something to be desired. Denis Leary, who starred in FX's "Rescue Me," wrote and produced the series but is not onscreen. "Playing House" stars Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham as friends who draw closer when one has a baby.

The network said Thursday that both are set to debut around the same time USA begins airing reruns of ABC's "Modern Family."

USA also said it was starting to make a new drama set in post-World War II America involving Nazi spies.

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